Teens: Need Advice

[Advantager]

Hello,

About 2 weeks now i have been makeing the transition to vegetarian and i feel great i have alot more energy and belive it or not i actually lost a few pound!! But i need advice some people overheard me talking to one of my friends about becomeing a vegetarian and where i live (wyoming) there big cattle farmers and now they are extremely mad at me and one kid was makeing songs like "Kill the Vegan" "dont eat meat eat the vegatraian" and things related to that and i am not sure how to respond i havent really said anything but "just dont bug me" and they keep doing it!

What should i do?

Thank you

[chiaraluna]

I hate to be pessimistic, but (in my experience, at least), they won't stop for quite some time. Just explain calmly and logically your reasons for becoming a vegetarian once and then never bring it up again. When they see that you honestly don't care what they think, they will ultimately lose interest in harrassing you.

I know it's tough, though -- just hang in there! It's worth it. :) :hug:

[Advantager]

Thank you thats similar to what i have been doing accept when they come and talk to me i just say calmly i choose what i want to eat and please stop bugging me about.Period and i think it makes them more aggrevated i will just not say anything i guess.

Thanks again
andy

[chiaraluna]

I'm sure that they'll get used to it in time... By becoming a vegetarian, you are (in their minds, at least) threatening their way of life, their source of income -- they consider your decision a personal attack. Eventually they will realize that you are living by a personal conviction and that you are not trying to hurt anyone by doing so; when they realize this, they will back off.

I anticipate having to go through a similar experience this summer when I go to our family reunion (my first since becoming veg) -- they, too, come from a heritage of cattle farming and I am fairly sure that I am the first to even think the word "vegetarian," let alone "vegan.

I'm a little worried, but, as I said before, the novelty will ultimately wear off. People's attention spans are only so long... ;)

Feel free to vent to me through PM any time. :)

[Rebel Girl]

yeah pretty soon they will get over it, but you just gotta hang in with it. Its awful for me, i have such a HUGE highschool, i was eating a stuffed bell pepper and this group of kids surrounded me and was like "you dont eat meat?! you are a freak!!!"and then my friend was like "shes vegan, not vegetarian"and they were like "that's so stupid! we will bury you when you dont show up next week!!" but of course i did. and im still coming back. :hi: i always make sure and wave at them now, and they feel all stupid so they just stop...it just takes time...and plus Veganism is for lovers! :love: little asexual smileys.

[Advantager]

<I'm sure that they'll get used to it in time... By becoming a vegetarian, you are (in their minds, at least) threatening their way of life, their source of income -- they consider your decision a personal attack. Eventually they will realize that you are living by a personal conviction and that you are not trying to hurt anyone by doing so; when they realize this, they will back off.

I anticipate having to go through a similar experience this summer when I go to our family reunion (my first since becoming veg) -- they, too, come from a heritage of cattle farming and I am fairly sure that I am the first to even think the word "vegetarian," let alone "vegan.

I'm a little worried, but, as I said before, the novelty will ultimately wear off. People's attention spans are only so long...

Feel free to vent to me through PM any time. >

Especially out here theres cattle farms ALL around here and every time you drive by a cattle farm you can see there cramped spaces only a few cattle out here get to "roam" wyoming the rest are stuck in pens
Thank you


<yeah pretty soon they will get over it, but you just gotta hang in with it. Its awful for me, i have such a HUGE highschool, i was eating a stuffed bell pepper and this group of kids surrounded me and was like "you dont eat meat?! you are a freak!!!"and then my friend was like "shes vegan, not vegetarian"and they were like "that's so stupid! we will bury you when you dont show up next week!!" but of course i did. and im still coming back. i always make sure and wave at them now, and they feel all stupid so they just stop...it just takes time...and plus Veganism is for lovers! little asexual smileys.>

Yea almost the same of what happen to me exept a whole classroom was like asking me quesetions and critizeing vegatraians (I never spell it right LOL) calling them "freaks from ca." or "there a little messed up in the brain" and i tell them yea right and laugh and then tell them to leave me alone

Thank you

[iceflower]

Just a warning, someone will probably remember the Simpson's 'you dont make friends with salad' and think it's *really* funny. But your above people like them so I reckon just laugh and be happy in the fact they'll die before you :P

[Advantager]

<Just a warning, someone will probably remember the Simpson's 'you dont make friends with salad' and think it's *really* funny. But your above people like them so I reckon just laugh and be happy in the fact they'll die before you :P>

LOL yea and they prolly already have there arterys getting jammed up and by the time there fivty there dead LOL

[misq17]

Threaten to slap them silly :) No, that doesn't always work. Try just coming back with clever comebacks to make them feel stupid.

Of course...if that doesn't hurt just slap 'em :)

[vegansurfer]

I have never really had to deal with that people being offended and such about my veganism. My friends and peers crack jokes about it, and think that it is weird that I don't eat candy and such, but they accept it, luckily. try telling people that you don't criticize the way they eat (if you do, then this won't be a help) , so they shouldn't do it to you. after awhile they will hopfully get used to it. everytime i hear about others having trouble with the people in their towns accepting their eating choices it makes me love the little bubble that my life is in even more.

[Advantager]

Thank you for your replies i never critize there onivorse believes but when they said "you dont get enough protein you will be deformed in the future" i responed "well actually Americans get TOO much protein which could lead to Kidney faliure,Osteoporosis,Keteosis.And also you drinking milk could also give you diabtests,Make you obese,and loads of other health problems"Then the next day he goes "Guess what i had for dinner a nice big JUICY handburger" I go "good for you i hope you enjoy bad health and are responsible for 90 million cows deaths a year"
Was that good?

[Fruitarian_Girl]

I've never been made fun of for being a vegan except by my own sister, who is now a vegan herself. After I became a fruitarian EVERYONE started making fun of me. My entire family makes fun of me. "Oh Celena, do you want a veggie burger? Wait, you don't eat vegetables because you are off your block." Stupid comments like that really start to get to you after awhile. Hang in there! Atleast you aren't the one that has meat rotting in your colon anymore! :spew: I just had to add that little guy for effect. He looks so cute before he pukes!
You will never get made fun of on these boards for being a vegetarian. It is so great that you realized animals are being murdered just so people can eat. Just ignore them and they will find someone else to bug after awhile. Bring some pamphlets to school and explain to everyone why you are a vegetarian. Go to www.peta.org and you can order a vegetarian started kit. Also, www.veganoutreach.org has a really good one. :yes:

[Advantager]

<Bring some pamphlets to school>

Before i read your post i did that today and they took there muddy shoes and jumped on them then through them out the 3rd floor of school! And my teacher goes "its just a vegan pamphlet dont worry about it Andrew you should be eating meat for iron" and i got soooo mad.
THank anyways

[Rebel Girl]

i think i would go balistic!! if i took my time to find the pamphlets and try to educate people on the horrors of meat, and my teachers and peers just are stupid about it i would be so AHG :furious: and :evil: and :-/ some people are just retards.

[Alec Eiffel]

the answer is simple: KILL THEM WITH KINDESS! it works for me. once people figure out you dont care and you're all about the love they'll eventually understand.

[Alec Eiffel]

PS I have a blood brothers cd its okay im not too into it anymore its cool though whatevs goodnight have a great day rebel girl.

[moo]

Thank you for your replies i never critize there onivorse believes but when they said "you dont get enough protein you will be deformed in the future" i responed "well actually Americans get TOO much protein which could lead to Kidney faliure,Osteoporosis,Keteosis.And also you drinking milk could also give you diabtests,Make you obese,and loads of other health problems"Then the next day he goes "Guess what i had for dinner a nice big JUICY handburger" I go "good for you i hope you enjoy bad health and are responsible for 90 million cows deaths a year"
Was that good?

Good for You!
You got it!!!! :rockon:
Have you ever read Animal FArm?
I know it was really written about something in history but if you put that aside..
and it's a great book about a group of beaten malnurished animals who go against their evil farmer who slaughteres them and over works them and take over the farm
and do a great job running it

moo

[Rebel Girl]

yes blood brothers are wonderful. i think i will put them on right now. :sunny: i had another bad run in with omnivore today...but who cares??? i wanna do something more than just sit here and type everynight. but im young and cant drive and things are dumb. my dad said i was looking fat. my sister said that too!!! :whack: but how in the hell is tha? ive lost almost 10 pounds since veganism started, so now im down to 115, or 110. and they say im fat?!?! ugh. i used to have anorexia and bulimia (if i would eat, i would purge it) and they go an say im fat? gah. good way to help me along there.. :whack: :whack:

[maple_syrup]

i had a family reunion too but only after being vegan for 3 months so everyone smiled all-knowingly and whispered about "phases" behind my back. you could get some veg-message tee shirts and wear them (because they can't treat clothing like the pamphlets unless they plan to throw you out of the third floor window ;) jk) and if you ever feel alone about it come on here cuz we love you!!!!!